Speculation: Caps Roster General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines/etc) | 2024-25 Summer Edition

[ovikovy817]

Apparently Carbery signed a new deal few days ago and I missed it.

 

[Coldnwindy]

Why not for a year though? It's more important for Leonard that he's put on a line that Carbery will trust to play in the 3rd period than to be with another rookie who's figuring it out just because their more skilled offensively. Raddysh is a perfectly acceptable player at most aspects of the game and someone Carbery trusts.

Doesn't have to be specifically him, but he's the exact kind of guy I'd be targeting for the 3LW spot. If Leonard really is that good too, he'll force his way into a top 6 spot anyways

It's not good for the development of an offensive talent like Leonard to play with bottom 6 talent. This is how you end up like the rangers and mismanage the development of your top prospects. I'm more in favor of taking 1 of the current top 6 players from each line and putting them together with Leonard and one of either Lappy/Miro next season and rolling 3 lines.

 

[Lou Sassole]

Another name to throw out - still sounds like the Wild might move on from Rossi. I don’t get it, but maybe they need the $ for KK. And Guerin is a putz I guess.

If not Lappy, and we need a 3C replacement - Pius Suter could be a solid, cheap option. Honestly surprised VAN haven’t extended him.

Rumor is Guerin isn't a fan of smaller forwards. Not sure why they'd get rid of him when scoring is a problem for them already.

 

[qcal1427]

It's not good for the development of an offensive talent like Leonard to play with bottom 6 talent. This is how you end up like the rangers and mismanage the development of your top prospects. I'm more in favor of taking 1 of the current top 6 players from each line and putting them together with Leonard and one of either Lappy/Miro next season and rolling 3 lines.

I want Leonard to succeed but I also want the team to win and I'd rather not weaken the top 6 just for the sake of Leonard and Lappy's developments.

1) It's important for him to develop his offense, which won't happen with Raddysh
2) It's important for him to build his confidence via offense, which won't happen with Raddysh
3) The Caps have the cap space to do much, much better. We can afford someone who is trusted defensively with some offensive ability.

Completely disagree that playing with Raddysh would prevent him from doing 1 and 2. Don't necessarily disagree with 3 either, but take a look at the list of UFA forwards and Raddysh/Beauvillier/Mangiapane are much further up the list of points this season than you would think!

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Ridley Simon suggested an initial spot for Leonard as:

Mango - Beauvillier - Leonard

And I can't stop wanting to see this more and.more every day as a first try. Beauvillier is doing great and wants to drive the play and brings playoff experience. Mangiapane is improving. Leonard will be free to give it his best right out of the gate with a line with an aggressive mindset and less pressure with experienced linemates.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

double post deleted

 

[Misery74]

8-80-9
21-17-43
63-29-24

Those are my top 9 to start the season. I thought Jimi staked his claim last year. Admittedly, it didn’t go well. But I would insert him in the top 9 today too..

 

[qcal1427]

Ridley Simon suggested an initial spot for Leonard as:

Mango - Beauvillier - Leonard

And I can't stop wanting to see this more and.more every day as a first try. Beauvillier is doing great and wants to drive the play and brings playoff experience. Mangiapane is improving. Leonard will be free to give it his best right out of the gate with a line with an aggressive mindset and less pressure with experienced linemates.

Beauvillier is not a center

 

[qcal1427]

8-80-9
21-17-43
63-29-24

Those are my top 9 to start the season. I thought Jimi staked his claim last year. Admittedly, it didn’t go well. But I would insert him in the top 9 today too..

that third line would play 7 minutes a night

 

[Langway]

63-29-24

They're signing Marchand?!?!

 

[Misery74]

They're signing Marchand?!?!

What number is Miro? I’m close, no?

 

[Misery74]

that third line would play 7 minutes a night

I see Lars Eller as an offensive black hole. We will need scoring from third line and he cannot provide it in 2025.

 

[Langway]

What number is Miro? I’m close, no?

No, you're right on that. It was just the first thing that came to mind (in part due to position).

Lapierre is most definitely going to need to earn that 3C spot. They're not handing it to him again. Even if they bring Dowd back I've got to believe they'd bring in some insurance so that there's an in-house alternative and additional competition. I'm not sure Lapierre is ever going to be firm enough for their liking. There's speed but if it's mostly perimeter and inconsistent/soft I don't know that they're going to keep giving that type chance after chance. There's got to be a payoff and it's at least unclear whether any offensive boost wouldn't come with largely offsetting defensive issues.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

2nd and 3rd top lines in the league. Niiiiiiiice

 

[itsjustsurvival]

2nd and 3rd top lines in the league. Niiiiiiiice

This was really cool to see. As someone who complained for years about the composition of the top 6, it's awesome they have found such a unique balance of size, speed, and skill. Plus having an amazing coach. Easily one of the most enjoyable regular seasons in a long time.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Beauvillier is not a center

He’s played center plenty in his career. FYI

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

He’s played center plenty in his career. FYI

Anything recently (and well) we can refer to?

 

[Ridley Simon]

Anything recently (and well) we can refer to?

Probably not, candidly. Discussion with Islanders fans I know, post trade.

 

[qcal1427]

I see Lars Eller as an offensive black hole. We will need scoring from third line and he cannot provide it in 2025.

We can have more scoring from the third line next year without playing Lapierre and Miro together. That is a recipe for disaster and you'd be putting McMichael in about the worst spot for him possible.

FYI -- on-ice 5v5 xG for per hour this season:
Eller 2.4
Miro 2.38
Lappy 2.3

 

[Holtbyisms]

He’s played center plenty in his career. FYI

"Plenty" might be an exaggeration. Your typical center takes around 1000 faceoffs in a full season. He's taken 650 in his 9 year career with a low 40s win percentage. He's not a center and would be a massive liability taking draws in the d zone. A place where your third and forth like centers need to excel.

 

[Langway]

 

[kicksavedave]

Looks like BV started as a center taking regular draws, then moved to wing after the 2nd year. Not to different from say, McMichael. Moving him back to center would be a risk, but he appears to be the kind of player who could be successful at center if he could get the FO % up to snuff.

 

[qcal1427]

He’s played center plenty in his career. FYI

And I've played center plenty before in my career -- doesn't mean I can be the 3c on a cup contender.

Eller is completley fine. If he goes down, I am willing to bet money that the player they will (and should!) recall is Sgarbossa and either he will come in or McMichael will get moved back.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

If Eller gets hurt or benched you do not break up the top 6.

Next man up. With no center the 3rd line prob sees very little ice time.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Looks like BV started as a center taking regular draws, then moved to wing after the 2nd year. Not to different from say, McMichael. Moving him back to center would be a risk, but he appears to be the kind of player who could be successful at center if he could get the FO % up to snuff.

I’d say that ship has sailed. If he was good he’d already be playing C taking draws. If he could have gotten better, he probably would have by now. At least he can take a draw here or there if someone gets tossed from the dot.